Madeline Carrick discusses dark characters, Edinburgh taxi drivers and eating deep fried haggis at 4am.

Tell us about your Fringe show

I'm doing two shows this year, "The World's Worst Birthday Party" a very silly comedy show for kids featuring Harry Styles, pranking and lots of silly dancing. It's in Yurt and feels like a party every morning. Then, my adult show "Maddy Carrick in Maddy's Carrickters" is my character solo show featuring a cast of deliciously dark characters.

Best thing about the Fringe?

Being able to fill your day with a heady concoction of shows, puppet musicals followed by stand up followed by physical theatre!

Worst thing about the Fringe?

The Fringe bubble can become a little suffocating after three weeks, and the knots in my back.

How many years have you been coming to the Fringe?

This will be my fifth Fringe, five and counting...

Favourite Fringe venue?

I have lovely memories performing at the Caves in 2012 - everything a fringe should be damp, dark and wonderful.

Best Fringe memory?

Watching a stand up burn all his flyers and then his clothes in the courtyard of the Caves on the final day, a joyous ceremonial rite.

Best heckle?

We wanted to see Dolly Parton!

Craziest on stage experience?

Trying to perform sketches on a Saturday night in the main restaurant of Ciao Roma on Nicholson Street, that was pretty bonkers.

What's on your rider?

Half a shandy please.

How do you wind down after a show?

Meeting up with the other character comics who also are on during the "character hour" and sharing a large glass of wine.

What do you love about Scotland?

The view from the train as you're approaching Edinburgh, coastal towns and green moors.

What do you like about Edinburgh?

Everyone is mega friendly - I love the taxi drivers! They have talked me down after a show many a time.

What's the most Scottish thing you've done?

Deep fried haggis, 4am.

What kind of jokes do a Scottish crowd seem to respond to?

The kids love a joke at the expense of Mum and Dad.

Favourite joke?

Why did the banana go to the doctor? Because he wasn't peeling well. Okay it's for the kids show but always gets a massive laugh.

See - Maddy Carrickters at the Loft at The Counting House during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival until 25th August. See - The World's Worst Birthday Party at The Yurt Locker at Three Sisters until 25th August. For more information visit www.freefestival.co.uk